Hypertext Webster Gateway: "changeling"

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Changeling \Change"ling\, a.
1. Taken or left in place of another; changed. ``A little
changeling boy.'' --Shak.

2. Given to change; inconstant. [Obs.]

Some are so studiously changeling. --Boyle.

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Changeling \Change"ling\, n. [Change + -ling.]
1. One who, or that which, is left or taken in the place of
another, as a child exchanged by fairies.

Such, men do changelings call, so changed by
fairies' theft. --Spenser.

The changeling [a substituted writing] never known.
--Shak.

2. A simpleton; an idiot. --Macaulay.

Changelings and fools of heaven, and thence shut
out.

Wildly we roam in discontent about. --Dryden.

3. One apt to change; a waverer. ``Fickle changelings.''
--Shak.

From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)

changeling
n 1: a person of subnormal intelligence [syn: {idiot}, {imbecile},
{cretin}, {moron}, {half-wit}, {retard}]
2: a child secretly exchanged for another in infancy

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